More Backhoes and Less Backlog with Zlinx® Wireless Devices
Posted by Mike Fahrion on Thu, Oct 08, 2009 @ 08:08 AM
A manufacturer of world renowned "green" agricultural, consumer and construction equipment has implemented B&B Electronics' Zlinx wireless products. The company's backhoe assembly line consists of Automated Guide Vehicles (AGVs) that tug backhoe units between assembly stations. Using wired serial communications, internal intelligence guides mobile AGVs along a magnetic path in the floor. Since there was no communication from the AGVs back to the PLC controlling assembly processes, an approaching AGV could run into another AGV still at a station. Quality control processes and build times were suffering and manufacturing times were extended. With the installation of B&B Electronics' Zlinx wireless products, featuring Zlinx Manager Software, AGVs are now wirelessly managed through the PLC and processes are maintained by a single, remote group. Quality control improved and manufacturing lead times were reduced.
Read the press release.